6 free-agent wide receivers the Vikings could sign in 2021
By Adam Carlson
Keelan Cole
Rumors are already swirling through the Vikings fandom that Keelan Cole could be of interest by the purple and gold thanks to a connection with new Minnesota wide receivers coach Keenan McCardell and their shared time with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Only 27-years-old, Cole has a lot of gas left in the tank. He is coming off a strong 2020 campaign that saw him set career-highs in receptions (55) and receiving touchdowns (5) while dealing with the strange quarterback situation in Jacksonville.
Playing with Kirk Cousins could help to unlock a bit of Cole’s potential while taking some of the pressure off of Minnesota’s other receivers at the same time. He could play in the slot or anywhere else that is asked of him.
Unless Cole takes a bit of a discount to play for a good offense with a friend on the coaching staff, his annual contract could possibly start around $4 million per year. Considering the Vikings’ expected situation with money this year, that value seems a little steep.
But if Minnesota gets a deal done, Cole might allow them to be able to spread the ball around better and stop defenses from focusing solely on Thielen and Jefferson.